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BALTOPS 25: NATO Launches One of the Largest Maritime Exercises in the Baltic Sea

 

ROSTOCK, Germany – June 3, 2025

BALTOPS 25, the 54th edition of NATO’s premier annual maritime exercise in the Baltic Sea, officially kicked off today with the pre-sail conference. The event involves 16 allied nations, over 40 ships, 25 aircraft, and approximately 9,000 personnel.

The exercise itself will begin on June 5 and run through June 20, featuring a wide range of multinational operations including amphibious assaults, anti-submarine warfare, air defense, mine countermeasures, explosive ordnance disposal, medical response, and the use of both surface and underwater unmanned vehicles.

“This year’s BALTOPS is more than just an exercise. It’s a visible demonstration of our Alliance’s resolve, adaptability, and maritime strength,” said Vice Adm. J.T. Anderson, commander of U.S. Sixth Fleet and Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO. “As NATO celebrates its 75th anniversary, BALTOPS 25 showcases our ability to operate together as a unified force across the full spectrum of maritime operations.”

Strategic Cooperation in a Sensitive Maritime Theater

Participating countries include Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Sweden, Türkiye, the United Kingdom, and the United States. STRIKFORNATO, headquartered in Oeiras, Portugal, is hosting liaison officers and planners from each participating nation to jointly coordinate operations through a multinational command center.

A Drill Amid Heightened Geopolitical Tensions

While NATO forces begin BALTOPS 25, independent sources—including the German newspaper Bild—report simultaneous Russian naval drills in the region, with around 20 Russian warships present in the Baltic Sea since May 27. The overlapping timelines are drawing attention from analysts and media, raising concerns about the risk of incidents or escalation.

Despite these tensions, NATO emphasizes the defensive nature of BALTOPS, aimed at securing freedom of navigation and improving interoperability among allied navies in this strategically vital region.


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